Taking action for our birds

A change in birdsong was a tohu for mana whenua that something was not right in the Waitākere Ranges.

Kauri were māuiui. After waiting years for reports from external sources, it was estimated that nearly 25% of kauri were infected with kauri dieback. A rāhui was finally placed on the Waitākere Ranges to restore the mauri and slow the degradation caused by the disease. Rāhui is a traditional conservation tool used by Māori to slow the effects when something is amiss, giving kaipūtaiao and kairangahau time to find a cure.

As keen observers of te taiao, iwi Māori have decades of mātauranga based on the information gauged in these observations. When interpreting the natural, normal patterns and behaviours of birds – as was seen in the Waitākere Ranges – experts knew when something wasn’t quite right.

Kaitiaki and conservation

Our tūpuna became expert kaitiaki and implemented multiple conservational tools to preserve and therefore ensure fresh, clean water sources and mahinga kai for future generations. Some of the tools used included:

• harvesting, gathering or hunting only what was needed to feed or tend to the iwi
• harvesting at certain times to allow for replenishing, maturing of a food source – including knowledge of the maramataka and understanding the seasons
• placing rāhui to prohibit people from entering specific areas – for example, nesting locations
• having specific spaces for cleaning and washing that were away from food collection and preparation
• being respectful of all living and non-living things, as these were beneficial to survival, and showing this respect by following tikanga set out by the iwi.

After land had been confiscated (raupatu) or lost in battles and was scarce, tūpuna had to learn more about planting crops as the main source of food production. Taking care of these food sources was similar to pre-colonial times. However, pest control was a new technology.

As food sources became scarce because of land clearing, swamp draining and deforestation, iwi had to go about restoring the balance of the ecosystem by replanting where they could, transferring species and placing rāhui on those species.

In te ao Māori, oneone (soil) is a taonga that holds mana, spiritual energy or healing power as it is of Papatūānuku, the personification of Earth in Māori cosmology. The health of the soil, of Papatūānuku, is what creates resilience for entire ecosystems so foundational to successful establishment and long-term health of forests. Caring for our soil supports the forest and therefore the creatures that live there. All living and non-living things in this world are interconnected through whakapapa so one cannot exist as it should without the other.

Actions to protect and restore

There are many initiatives and strategies in place today to preserve and restore the natural habitats of the birdlife in Aotearoa. Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research has proudly led Te Tatauranga o ngā Manu Māra o Aotearoa | New Zealand Garden Bird Survey. This biodiversity study, which began in 2007, aims to inform and educate about the state of our garden birds and their environments.

He aha ināianei? What now?

Te Tatauranga o ngā Manu Māra o Aotearoa | New Zealand Garden Bird Survey results provide regional information about the changes in abundance of bird species. Where do we start and what do we need to do to protect and encourage birdlife in our local environment?

Lorraine Dixon uses a pictorial model termed Ake Ake – forever and ever to encourage iwi to share their views, including values. They are also encouraged to represent what they would like the future to look like. Students should be encouraged to do the same for their communities. Ko rātou ngā rangatira o āpōpō – students are the leaders of tomorrow and have a good grasp on what their future should and could look like. Our tamariki are curious, they are creative and, with support, can work together alongside experts to activate ideas and initiatives to restore natural environments for the birds to return!

Here are some ways to encourage birds back into our places and spaces:

• Create bird-friendly urban spaces: Develop green corridors, parks and urban green spaces that provide safe havens for birds. Plant native trees and shrubs to offer food and nesting sites.
• Raise public awareness: Educate the public about the importance of birds and their habitats through campaigns, workshops and school programmes. Highlight the role birds play in ecosystems and the benefits they bring to humans.
• Citizen science projects: Encourage community involvement in bird monitoring and conservation efforts through citizen science projects like the New Zealand Garden Bird Survey. (You can find pedagogical and other information in the resources New Zealand Garden Bird Survey and New Zealand Garden Bird Survey – a context for learning.)

There are additional activities in the slideshow below. Try them in your classroom!